Compositions and methods for treating conditions associated with neuronal dysfunction

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the treating and empirically investigating conditions associated with neuronal dysfunction (e.g., chronic pain, epileptic neuronal activity). In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods for using flufenamic acid in the treatment and empirical investigation of conditions associated with neuronal dysfunction (e.g., chronic pain, epileptic neuronal activity).

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for treating a condition associated with neuronal dysfunction, comprising administering to a subject suffering from neuronal dysfunction a pharmaceutical composition comprising flufenamic acid. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said condition associated with neuronal dysfunction is chronic pain. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said pharmaceutical composition is co-administered with one or more therapeutic agents selected from the group consisting of antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, opioids, anticonvulsants, analgesics, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said condition associated with neuronal dysfunction is epileptic activity. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said pharmaceutical composition is co-administered with one or more therapeutic agents selected from the group consisting of carbamazepine, clobazam, clonazepam, ethosuximide, felbamate, fosphenytoin, flurazepam, gabapentin, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, oxcarbazepine, mephenytoin, phenobarbital, phenytoin, pregabalin, primidone, sodium valproate, tiagabine, topiramate, valproate semisodium, valproic acid, vigabatrin, diazepam, lorazepam, paraldehyde, pentobarbital, and bromides. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said FFA activates KCNK potassium channels. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said FFA activates neuronal background potassium conductance. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said FFA inhibits neuronal voltage-gated sodium current. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said subject is a human. 
     
     
         10 . A method for preventing a condition associated with neuronal dysfunction, comprising administering to a subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising flufenamic acid. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said condition associated with neuronal dysfunction is chronic pain. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said condition associated with neuronal dysfunction is epileptic activity. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said FFA activates KCNK potassium channels. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said FFA activates neuronal background potassium conductance. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said FFA inhibits neuronal voltage-gated sodium current.